River stage
Upper Iowa River
- River level
- Normal
- Status
- Below flood stage
Latest readings 2026-10-13 | NWS · USGS
- Gauges reporting
- 7 of 7
- Above flood stage
- 0
- Above action stage
- 0
- Overall
- Below flood stage
- Publisher
- NWS · USGS
In brief
On Oct 13, 2026, 7 of 7 gauges on the Upper Iowa River reported, and none was above flood stage.
Source: National Weather Service and USGS gauges
Upper Iowa River levels, gauge by gauge
The Upper Iowa River is measured at 7 gauges. Flood stages are set per gauge, so the same river is "high" at one town and normal at the next.
| Location | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|
| NWS gauge UKVI4 | 1046.92 ft | no flood stage set |
| NWS gauge ULSI4 | 1192.18 ft | no flood stage set |
| Bluffton | 3.71 ft | normal, falling |
| Decorah | 2.20 ft | normal, falling |
| Decorah 3NW | 887.16 ft | below flood stage |
| Dorchester | 7.62 ft | normal, falling |
| Freeport | 827.90 ft | no flood stage set |
Recent levels on the Upper Iowa River
The gauge with the fullest recent record on this river is Bluffton, IA, with 122 days of readings.
Other rivers nearby
- Turkey River 9 gauges
- Cedar River (IA, MN) 18 gauges
- Yellow River (IA, WI) 4 gauges
- Beaver Creek (IA) 10 gauges
- Salt Creek (IA) 1 gauge
- Indian Creek (Marion, IA) 2 gauges
- Iowa River 15 gauges
- Clear Creek (IA) 2 gauges
Frequently asked questions
Is the Upper Iowa River flooding right now?
No. Every one of the 7 reporting gauges on the Upper Iowa River is below flood stage as of 2026-10-13.
How high is the Upper Iowa River?
The river is measured at several points and each reads a different height. Bluffton is at 3.71 ft; Decorah is at 2.20 ft; Dorchester is at 7.62 ft.
Where is the Upper Iowa River measured?
The National Weather Service and USGS operate 7 gauges on the Upper Iowa River in Iowa.
What does flood stage mean?
Flood stage is the height at which a river begins to cause problems at that specific location. It is set per gauge, so the same river can be above flood stage in one town and normal a few miles downstream. Action stage is the lower level at which forecasters start watching closely.
River stages and flood categories from the NOAA National Weather Service; daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.